Online continuing education: Is it worth the investment?

Continuing education is key to success, and investing time and money in obtaining further skills can open doors. But do you need to study on-site at an educational institute? Or is online continuing education that can be tailored to your needs in terms of time and location just as good? Are they value for money? Is the investment worth it? 

Let's take a look at the facts: Online continuing education courses such as webinars, e-learning courses or online university programs are indispensable nowadays. They offer flexibility and access to first-class knowledge – often at a fraction of the cost of traditional education.

The biggest advantage of online courses? Participants can fit them around their life – not the other way around. Students can learn when and where it is convenient for them, without having to neglect their duties at home or at work. For this reason, online continuing education is particularly attractive for people wanting to progress in their career without putting the rest of their lives on pause.

Of course, traditional courses with on-site participation also have their advantages: Direct contact with lecturers and fellow students can lead to deeper understanding, and face-to-face sessions can provide excellent networking opportunities. A physical classroom can also create a disciplined and focused learning environment. However, in terms of flexibility and diversity, online education is second to none. Online education courses open doors to expert knowledge that is often not available locally.

But are these courses recognized? They pop up increasingly often as you scroll through LinkedIn: posts from colleagues in your network featuring diplomas they've achieved as part of an online continuing education course. This can even include degrees from prestigious universities.

Nowadays, distance learning is generally recognized in the same way as face-to-face study. As with traditional diplomas, the reputation of the institution is key. Of course, there are some critics who value degrees obtained from face-to-face education more highly. However, it seems most employers are just as impressed by a LinkedIn posting of an online diploma from a top university as one achieved through a traditional course of study. After all, such a diploma must meet the requirements of the prestigious institution that issued it. 

The digital revolution has completely transformed education. Online education opens up first-class education to everyone, no matter where they live. Of course, you need to carefully weigh up the costs and the quality of the courses on offer, even if it is not always as easy to judge the respectability of an online continuing education provider. Ideally, you will be able to access reviews from previous course participants. On the whole, however, it can be said that the opportunities offered by online forms of study outweigh the disadvantages. They are a sensible and worthwhile investment in your professional future, and are perfectly suited to people who want to remain flexible while expanding their knowledge.